2024-07-09 15:57:51
Lazdiņš did not reveal certain goals of Latvian athletes and did not indicate what achievements are expected of them, but Keselis emphasized that athletes should evaluate their results individually.
“I know that our athletes are going to Paris for a victory – whether it will be a place on the podium or a victory for itself. No one goes there just to participate,” Kesselis added.
The head of the delegation noted that certain changes in the composition of Latvian athletes may still be made due to athlete injuries, but the medical commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) must approve the application in time.
“Approximately half of our athletes will have the opportunity to consider participating in the opening ceremony, but first of all, it is the athletes’ own choice, because it should be taken into account that it is a six- or seven-hour long process, which can affect the start the next day or the day after that,” said Kesselis.
It is known that some athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete in the Paris Olympic Games, and Lazdiņš explained that Latvian athletes and their service personnel will be given guidelines and training on how to deal with neutral athletes.
“We have adopted guidelines on what should be the attitude of athletes, coaches and service personnel. There will also be training, we have provided all of that and we will follow all the adopted guidelines,” said Lazdins.
On the other hand, Keselis highlighted that Latvian athletes should primarily observe the conditions of international organizations that regulate the course of the specific competition.
“In the case of the Olympic Games, it is the IOC, which has not yet sent a separate regulation regarding expressing an opinion or providing support regarding Ukraine, so we allow everything that was applicable to the previous Olympic Games to remain valid,” Kesselis explained.
“In addition, it is necessary to avoid any contact with these neutral athletes who have nevertheless made a choice in favor of starting at the Olympic Games,” he added.
This will also be the first Olympic Games in which Latvia will be represented by brother and sister. Kārlis Lasmanis will compete in 3×3 basketball, while his sister Rūta Kate will compete in the triple jump.
The Olympic qualification process for athletes ended on July 7, along with the Olympic qualification tournament in basketball.
The Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.
The composition of the Latvian delegation at the Paris Olympic Games:
Zigmārs Raimo, Francis Lācis, Kārlis Lasmanis, Nauris Miezis (all – 3×3 basketball), Līna Mūze-Sirmā, Anete Sietiņa, Agate Caune, Gunta Vaičule, Rūta Kate Lasmane, Patriks Gailums, Gatis Cakš, Walter Kreis (all – athletics), Pavel Švetsovs (modern pentathlon), Daniils Bobrovs, Ieva Maļukas (both – swimming), Jeja Patrika (show jumping), Toms Skujins, Anastasija Carbonāri (both – road cycling), Mārtiņš Blums (mountain biking), Veronika Monika Stūriška, Kristen Krieger ( both – BMX supercross), Ernests Szebold (BMX freestyle), Tīna Graudiņa, Anastasia Samoilova (both – beach volleyball), Aļona Ostapenko (tennis), Kristaps Neretnieks (equestrian), Agate Rašmane, Lauris Strautmanis (both – shot put), Ritvar Suharev (weightlifting).
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2024-07-09 15:57:51